Battery boost for iPhone

[Johnym]

I was wondering what and if anyone uses anything to aid sustain the battery life on an iPhone.

I recently completed my first 50 mile ride using endomondo, battery was fully charged at start of ride but at the end of the i was down to 4%.

Is moving to a cycle computer the way ahead or is there battery packs that can be used? Interested to hear people's opinions or what they use now.

 

[MattHB]

Wahoo's bike kit has an aux power supply you can buy. That would expensive if you don't already have the kit tho.

I've toyed with making a waterbottle housed battery pack.

 

[stu1903]

That's the reason why I stopped using Endomondo and bought a Garmin Edge 705. I'm glad I did as the device is superb and the battery life is excellent too!

 

[Red Light]

I haven't had any problems running Cyclemeter on an iPhone for long rides. I do take the precaution of switching Internet Access off in Cyclemeter to conserve power.

 

[MattHB]

I haven't had any problems running Cyclemeter on an iPhone for long rides. I do take the precaution of switching Internet Access off in Cyclemeter to conserve power.

How long do you get? I run with gps and data (for maps) and can't get it more than 3 hours, and that's locking the screen for at least half of that

 

[Red Light]

How long do you get? I run with gps and data (for maps) and can't get it more than 3 hours, and that's locking the screen for at least half of that

I've run it for 5-7hrs and used about 20-30% of the battery. The trick is to shut down unnecessary apps, particularly mapping ones which update over the internet continually and also switch off Cyclemeter "Internet Access" to minimise the data downloading it does. If you need to consult the map just switch it on while you do so and then back off again rather than leaving it running in the background.

 

[Johnym]

I've run it for 5-7hrs and used about 20-30% of the battery. The trick is to shut down unnecessary apps, particularly mapping ones which update over the internet continually and also switch off Cyclemeter "Internet Access" to minimise the data downloading it does. If you need to consult the map just switch it on while you do so and then back off again rather than leaving it running in the background.

Cheers mate, tried shutting all 3G, data and apps down aswell as screen and only used 7% on my 15 mile commute this morning.

Think a garmin will be the way forward eventually but I do like the website, challenges and social media updates from endomondo.

 

[Red Light]

Cheers mate, tried shutting all 3G, data and apps down aswell as screen and only used 7% on my 15 mile commute this morning.

Think a garmin will be the way forward eventually but I do like the website, challenges and social media updates from endomondo.

I don't think you need to go that drastic. Its just some apps use up the battery and are best closed down. Mapping ones which are constantly downloading maps to keep up with your movements are one usual culprit. Leave the 3G on in case you need to make an emergency call and in the More/Settings tab if you use Cyclemeter, set Internet Access to Off. That just stops it using the data connection to update the maps on the iPhone and upload your route to their servers every few minutes. It means though that there is no map background behind the route plot in the Map view but if you need it just switch Internet Access back on and it will pop up.

 

[Kestevan]

Upgrade to a phone from a manufacturor which allows it's users to carry and insert a spare battery.....

 

[Barbelier]

I highly recommend the power monkey: charges the iphone back up to 100% with more in reserve, use it when touring with no problems and its pretty light. I have a 1.5 metre iphone cable cable tied to the cross bar, stick the power monkey in the pannier and it charges while I riding and is protected from the rain.

However, I bought the version with the small solar panel charger, which was a waste of time, because it stops charging everytime I went along a lane surrounded by trees and I had to keep clearing the message on the iphone. Get the classic version without the solar panel (lots of colours including pink!) unless you're planning to cycle in much sunnier parts. You also need to be able to recharge it every night so camping might be a problem (although you could got for the Powermonkey extreme if want to shell out a lot more).

 

[spiro]

I highly recommend the power monkey: charges the iphone back up to 100% with more in reserve, use it when touring with no problems and its pretty light. I have a 1.5 metre iphone cable cable tied to the cross bar, stick the power monkey in the pannier and it charges while I riding and is protected from the rain.

These are only 2200mAh, for not much more money I have seen various ones that go all the way up to 10000mAh (5 iPhone recharges).

 

[jefmcg]

I used to love the power monkey, but have become a convert to the veho pebble. If the power monkey is accidently switched on, the power drains. My power monkey was dead more often than not after a week in the bag. Same if you plug your phone into it and pop it in a bag. If they get unplugged, the power monkey keeps draining. The pebble turns off after less than a minute, so is always ready.

Auto-off is the most important feature, imho

 

[Johnym]

Thanks for the input, I'll have a look at these extra power sources :-)

 

[MattHB]

Looking around there seem to be loads. This is good news. Wouldn't be much to mount one in a water bottle with a long lead on it.

 

[MrJamie]

I bought a £20 external battery from Lidl, very similar to the veho pebble. Charges a HTC Desire HD more than twice from a charge and came with a large variety of cheap connectors, i tend to use my own cable though in the handy usb ports I use Sportypal and sometimes endomondo on longer cycles, so my phone battery doesnt last too long, can either ride with it connected or give it a recharge at a rest/pub stop depending on the ride.

I would definitely recommend it if they have them in stock again, otherwise i would have bought a Veho Pebble, which look great too.